Video: Ex-cyclone Hale’s damage to Hawke’s Bay, SH2 to remain shut

Hawke’s Bay woke to road closures, flooding, slips and even a power outage to some homes on Wednesday morning following heavy rainfall caused by ex-cyclone Hale.

SH2 between Wairoa and Whirinaki - north of Napier - was one of the major roads impacted by the slips as Waka Kotahi confirmed it would remain closed until at least Thursday.

Other roads across Hawke’s Bay were also impacted by the heavy rainfall with closures for flooding, trees down and slips including seven roads in Hastings district alone.

Foam washing up along the shoreline at Awatoto Beach on Wednesday. Photo / Paul Taylor

Ex-cyclone Hale drenched the region throughout Tuesday and Wednesday morning and resulted in a thunderstorm watch being put in place for parts of Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday evening.

The region will welcome back some clear skies on Thursday with showers and clear spells forecast.

Gisborne district was hit much harder than Hawke’s Bay by the ex-cyclone, with evacuations and severe damage reported across that region.

Flooding outside of Napier, along Dartmoor Rd. Photo / Warren Buckland

A mayor from Hawke’s Bay was quick to pass on his thoughts to the residents and emergency services dealing with the widespread damage in Gisborne.

Meanwhile, about 60 properties near Puketapu were without power throughout Wednesday morning after a tree fell on power lines along Apley Rd.

SH5 between Napier and Taupo managed to remain open but it was reduced to one lane in some parts due to slips.

A tree across power lines in Apley Rd, Puketapu caused a power outage and road closure on Wednesday morning. Photo / Warren Buckland

Wairoa District Council reported that despite the heavy rainfall the region had fared surprisingly well.

“Reports so far indicate that while sodden, the Wairoa district has come off relatively unscathed.”

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said he felt for districts further north, such as Tairawhiti (Gisborne).

A surfer making the most of the wild weather near Te Awanga on Wednesday. Photo / Paul Taylor

“We really feel for our neighbouring residents further up the coast who have been severely impacted by the cyclone,” he said.

“Tairawhiti declared a state of local emergency at 10pm last night (Tuesday).

“They have had huge amounts of rainfall with gale force winds and swells up to 6m along the coast.”

The closure of SH2 has caused some headaches for motorists and trucks. Photo / Warren Buckland

Hastings District Council closed seven roads as a result of the storm.

That included Ocean Beach Rd near Maraetotara Stream due to flooding, and Apley Rd in Puketapu due to a tree down over the road and power lines.

Unison worked hard to restore power to homes near Apley Rd during Wednesday morning.

Waitangi reserve near Clive. Photo / Paul Taylor

Meanwhile, a crash near Taradale and the Tutaekuri River Bridge along the Hawke’s Bay Expressway (SH2) caused traffic to back up just after 8am on Wednesday, in extremely wet conditions.

Fortunately, no one was injured in that crash and the road was soon cleared.

A tree blown over in Muritai Cres, Havelock North on Wednesday. Photo / Warren Buckland

The wet weather this week has meant Botanic Beats, due to be held on Thursday in Napier, has been cancelled.

The family-friendly free community event featuring Debbie Harwood, the Academy Band and Project Prima Volta was to be held at the Napier Botanical Gardens. The event is unable to be rescheduled and will return in 2024.

Tutaekuri River Bridge at Awatoto on Wednesday. Photo / Warren Buckland